Much has been said about the provision of housing but there are blockages caused by the Department. In the context of grant aid for the elderly, the age was increased to 66 years when, previously, people in their 50s were considered eligible to apply. People are presenting now but there is no grant to cover them. If one is 50 years of age or over, it is unlikely that one will get a job if one is unemployed so the age criteria need to be reduced.

The improvement works in lieu grant is really a loan rather than a grant. That is not working because one of the stipulations is that in order to be considered for it, the walls of a house have to be built with cavity blocks. If one has a house with cavity walls, that is fine but the walls that need to be addressed are old stone walls. The grant must be expanded to allow people with old stone walls to qualify for the improvement works in lieu grant.

That sounds like a Topical Issue. I call on the Taoiseach to reply.

What happens to these people is that if they cannot get the schemes to work for them, they go on the council housing list and add to the numbers on it.

The Deputy is correct.

I do not believe any legislation is promised in this area but I will mention the matter to the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government and ask him to contact the Deputy directly in respect of it.